Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
With Will Montgomery injured, is it safe to assume that we will see the debut of third-round pick Hroniss Grasu Sunday when the Bears face the Chiefs?
Peter A.
Lake Zurich, Illinois
It's logical to assume that rookie center Hroniss Grasu will be active for the first time as an NFL player Sunday in Kansas City. But it remains to be seen whether the Bears will start the third-round pick from Oregon or utilize him as a sub against the Chiefs. They could choose to stick with the lineup they used after Will Montgomery broke his fibula on the third play of the game versus the Raiders, with Matt Slauson at center and Patrick Omameh at left guard. I don't expect the Bears to announce their decision due to competitive reasons, so we'll likely have to wait until Sunday to know for sure. Here's what coach John Fox said Monday when asked whether he thought Grasu was ready to play: "He's a very talented player. He's a guy that's familiar with our offense. I think everybody in our locker room or in our football building has confidence in him. At some point, we will get to find out."
When was the last time the Bears had back-to-back wins, and what is the longest winning streak they've ever had?
Jacquel G.
The Bears' last two-game winning streak was last Nov. 16 and 23 when they beat the Vikings and Buccaneers by identical 21-13 scores, with both games at Soldier Field. It was their second two-game winning streak of the 2014 season. The record for the Bears' longest regular-season winning streak remains 17 games from Nov. 26, 1933-Dec. 2, 1934. They won their last four contests in 1933 before defeating the Giants 23-21 to win the NFL championship and then went 13-0 in 1934 before losing the title contest to the Giants 30-13.
I was at the game Sunday and sat in the south end zone. I do not understand how pass interference was not called on the last drive when the Raiders defensive back never played the ball and knocked the Bears receiver down. It looked to me like the same type of play the Bears were penalized for in the Cardinals game. Any thoughts?
Nick C.
Palatine, Illinois
On the play you're referring to against the Raiders, Bears receiver Cameron Meredith got his feet tangled with an Oakland defensive back. When that occurs, it's ruled incidental contact and therefore does not warrant a flag. On the pass interference penalties that cornerbacks Alan Ball and Kyle Fuller drew against the Cardinals, they appeared to use their arms to hit Arizona receivers before the ball arrived.
